So with the season fast approaching I thought I’d finally sign up to a forum and give my views on the current squad, below are my first eleven with my thoughts on the current players and soon to follow will be my breakdown on our second string side along with my thoughts on if we need to strengthen and who needs to be moved on, I hope you enjoy, feedback and thoughts are welcome!
First Eleven
Goalkeeper -
Hugo Lloris
Not a lot be said on our number one, without doubt one of the best goalkeepers in Europe and at 28 years of age, being a goalkeeper his best years are most likely to still be ahead of him. Not only has he been a huge success at the Lane but is now one of the most suited keepers to our way of playing, with Pochettinos high energy and high pressing game starting to come through, a sweeper keeper is very much the order of the day, and there are really not many better sweeper keepers in world football than Hugo, obviously the toughest task will be keeping hold onto the Frenchman, but with talks of him being handing the captaincy hopefully this will help persuade him to stay put.
Right Back -
Kyle Walker
I have placed Walker in my first eleven, which I know will be a bit controversial, with others likely to go for Tripper or even Yedlin. However I feel Kyle gets a lot of undeserved criticism and now finds himself a very underrated player. What I look for in fullbacks are of course someone who can defend, but also someone with energy, pace and who can attack down the flank time after time. I feel with Walker he never lets you down going forward, he’s quick can beat a fullback easily and will always give you an attacking option down the right hand side and even brings an eye for goal to side with his free kicks and long strikes. Yes sometimes his defensive skills lack slightly but I really don’t believe he’s a bad defensively as people make out, he’s only 25 a full England international, and a player that loves the club, I would start him as my first choice this season and also hope the signing of Kieran Trippier will take his game to the next level.
Left Back -
Danny Rose
I was really not a fan of Danny Rose before last season, I felt that he needed replacing and I feel many others also felt the same, which Is why I feel Ben Davies was signed. However last season he was without doubt one of our best players, the transformation was immense, his game has come on leaps and bounds and he would now be one of my first names down on the team sheet. I feel he deserves more recognition with the National side with players like Kieran Gibbs and Ryan Bertrand often being preferred to Danny, which I do not agree with. Danny, like Kyle Walker is now 25 and will now be moving into his peak years as a player and being home grown local lad I see him nailing down the left back role for many years to come.
Centre Back -
Jan Vertonghen
We all know how good Jan can be on his day, one of Europe’s best defenders. Yet these days have been a bit hit and miss over the past two seasons. His first season with the club was fantastic, cementing himself a place in the Premier league team of the year. I really feel this season we will again see the best of Vertonghen, I feel the problem in the past has been the constant switch in partners whether it be Dawson, Fazio, Chiriches, Dier or Kaboul. Now with the arrival of close friend and fellow countryman Toby Alderweireld we could well be looking at a very formidable partnership, with Jan happy again we should therefore see some of his best displays again, the displays that previously had him ranked as one of the best in Europe.
Centre Back
Toby Alderweireld
Hopefully the answer to our defensive frailties. As mentioned beforehand I believe Toby and Jan can really strike up a very strong pairing between the two of them, being friends and countryman I can see them really hitting up a good understanding. Alderweireld was a key factor in Southamptons superb defensive record last season, conceding the second fewest goals only behind champions Chelsea. The season before this he helped Atletico win the La Liga title along with reaching the Champions League final. Again Toby is just coming into his prime at 26 years old and I believe he could be an inspired signing by Poch.
Centre Mid -
Nabil Bentaleb
When Nabil first burst on to the scene I was very uninspired and frustrated that the likes of Paulinho, Sandro and Dembele where being left out for the young Algerian. However the transformation last season was fantastic and he really has now developed into one of our best players and has to be considered as one of the leagues most exciting youngsters. His playing style suits our system down to the ground, full of energy, hard in the tackle but at the same time composed on the ball. With him being just 20yrs old I feel that he will have one of our central midfield positions nailed down for many years to come and has all the ingredients to become a real Spurs legend.
Centre Mid -
Ryan Mason
I don’t think anybody could have predicted the rise to fame of Ryan Mason last season, five loan spells and pretty much written off by managers and fans alike, until a wonder goal in the Carling Cup which was followed up by starting his first premier league game for Spurs, which happened to be away to Woolwich. Mason never looked back and went on to win his first England cap in what was an amazing season for the local lad. I feel Mason and Bentaleb can really push on from what where some really encouraging signs last season, both guys are full of passion and enthusiasm and I think Mason’s technical attributes are underrated by many. With his first season of Premier League football behind him, the sky’s the limit now for the 24 year old.
Left Wing -
Nacer Chadli
To be honest I thought Chadli was a poor signing at first, yet more of the Gareth Bale money wasted. Yet as seemed to be the case for many last season, Chadli has really started to change peoples opinions on him. Yet another of our Belgian contingent, Nacer is starting to become a real threat cutting in from the right hand side bagging a respectable 13 goals last season. Chadli likes to take on people is dangerous striking from distance and also in the air arriving at the far post. In an ideal world Nacer will hopefully really push on this coming season and add yet more goals and assists to his growing tally.
Right Wing -
Erik Lamela
Our record signing, his first season was injury hit, then many expected a lot last season with him linking up with his fellow countryman Pochettino, we saw flashes of brilliance yet at times we were frustrated. I do however feel myself that the good times outwayed the disappointing times last season, finishing up with the most assists and a five goal return. I’m hoping, as we all are that this could be the season for Erik, it certainly is make or break for the Argentinean international, but at just 23 years old if he can take off like many pundits suggested a few season back we could have a real gem on our hands!
Attacking Mid -
Christian Eriksen
Arguably our most successful signing in the last few seasons and without doubt the best of the magnificent seven! The little Dane has gone from strength to strength bagging twelve goals last season. A real dead ball specialist and not only an eye for a goal but an eye for a pass, along with that comfortable with both feet, composed and dangerous running with ball. He also looks to be happy and content at the Lane and being only 23 yeards old, we have many more years for him to improve and dazzle us.
Centre Forward -
Harry Kane
Maybe even a bigger transformation than Ryan Mason, and that’s saying something! After a few seasons of lacking a real goal threat Kane landed, and certainly landed with a bang! A breakthrough season in which he hit 31 goals for Spurs, a debut goal for his country and PFA young player of the season award, if Carlsberg done debut seasons, well they’d struggle to top that! Sceptics are claiming it may be a flash in the pan whilst others are saying that’ll he’ll be off to United or Madrid. However I see him staying with us for many more years to come and hopefully he can go on to have another season to rival his first with us, at only 22 we could have a centre forward for the next ten years at the club!
Seems alright.
